Torfaen Council plans tax increase of 4.95%. Focus is on cleaning streets addressing poo and potholes.
Anthony Hunt, the Torfaen Council leader, says streets will get cleaned up. Council tax will increase by 4.95 percent, which means a Band D bill goes up £76.75 yearly.
The Labour cabinet agreed to this budget proposal at a meeting on February 18 in Pontypool. The council must approve it on March 4, and Hunt says it addresses resident concerns.
He mentioned poo, potholes, and pavements as key areas of focus. The council plans a spring clean and a campaign to address dog fouling, plus they will repair local roads with £2 million.
£3 million was previously committed for roads, and the Welsh Government provided some funding. The council will share its chief executive with Blaenau Gwent.
A Band D bill will be £1,627.32 before extra charges added by Community councils and Gwent Police. Torfaen’s tax rise is low for Wales, ranking as the fifth lowest in Wales.
The budget supports residents who cannot pay, costing a little over £500,000 for 9,426 people. Schools will receive £5.4 million more.
School transport and learning needs will get £800,000. Crownbridge Special School expands with £800,000, and adult social care will get £1 million, with children’s care receiving £1 million too.